Naturism in Brazil

By the year 1500, Brazil was inhabited by naturists, both in the aspect of being eco-friendly and due to their natural attitude towards nudity.

Naturism happened even before the discovery, because the country was inhabited by Indians who were naked and not ashamed of their bodies, since clothes were irrelevant when you looked at the inside of people, respect for nature and enjoyed the quality of life it gave them.

The Portuguese colonizers and the church did not respect the way of life, culture and language of indigenous peoples. They dressed and catechized them, and eventually spoiling the influence of Brazilian cultural heritage. Until 1945 the Brazilian government promoted this “civilization” of indigenous. Few tribes managed to conserve part of their culture.

When speaking of the beginning of naturism in Brazil, it is highlighted as a pioneer the naturist dancer Dora Vivacqua, better known by her stage name Luz Del Fuego, who was a woman ahead of her time who did not fit to any standard and not allow anyone to interfere in your life.

She struggled to be authentic, loved animals, nature, and walking around naked. Even misunderstood, she did not stop fighting for her ideals. So, she led the Naturist movement in Brazil.

With the end of World War II, numerous political parties, among them the “Brazilian Naturist Party,” created in 1949 by Luz Del Fuego.

The main purpose was to promote the party nudist ideals. Around the same time she also created a naturist club which she called Ilha do Sol, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, and grew to about two hundred members from around the world.

On the island, the nudity was compulsory, with healthy activities like hiking, swimming and sunbathing, the place came to be visited by national and international celebrities.

In 1954, Luz Del Fuego also created in Rio de Janeiro “the Brazilian Naturist Club,” which was intended to encourage the practice of naturism under strict hygiene and moral principles.

The FNI naturist group officially recognized the Brazilian in 1965, when he published an annual guide to your note about the “International Naturist Society in Brazil – FNIB”, the first name of the Brazilian Federation of Naturism.

When the military took power in the country in 1964, a right-wing government was created, with a total ban on public rights. All political parties were outlawed and public meetings were controlled by the army.

The Brazilian Naturist Club continued to exist, but the repression drove their patrons. Over the years, the group that attended the Ilha do Sol was being scattered and few visitors came. Age was advancing and Luz went through many difficulties, and in 1967, died murdered with her home keeper Edgar.

With the death of Luz Del Fuego and the harsh repression of the military dictatorship, the naturist movement was losing its strength. A few practiced nudism in their homes and private properties and others met in secret during the 70s at beaches like Abricó and Olho de Boi, in Rio de Janeiro, and Ubatuba, in Sao Paulo. In the early 80s there were the first evidence of the practice in Pinho Beach in Santa Catarina.

At this time the philosophy was given great prominence in the media and became known for thousands of Brazilians. Today, highly spread, naturism has over 30 affiliated entities with the FBrN – Brazilian Federation of Naturism and already characterized as a mature movement with great growth potential.

Best nudist beaches and places in Brazil

Despite its very wide coast, Brazil has few beaches destined to the practice of naturism.

In most beaches, you are expected to keep your bathing suit on (and this includes the ladies’ tops). Topless girls are welcome in some places, but that is not universally practiced, accepted or allowed. Technically, it is still illegal to be naked in public in Brazil, but there is a bill waiting for approval in the Senate that might change that.

So, if you like to sunbathe in your birthday suit, you might have to look for the few isolated spots that offer privacy and total freedom for the practice of naturism. Most of them are regulated by local legislation.

Here is the list of official naturist beaches, organized from Northern to Southern states, in case you intend to vacation “au naturel”:

1. Tambaba – in the city of Conde, state of Paraíba.With white sands and natural pools, it hosted, in 2008, the International Naturist Conference.

Several attractive beaches line the shores of Conde, in Southern Paraíba, with their cliffs, coral reefs, estuaries and warm waters.

This town with about 21,400 inhabitants, located about 13 miles from João Pessoa, the state capital, is one of Paraíba’s most popular touristic destinations.

However, what is making it famous internationally is mainly Tambaba, one of the most beautiful nude beaches in Brazil.

A naturism spot made official by city legislation two decades ago, Tambaba is also open to bathers who prefer to keep their swimsuits on.

The beach is divided into two areas, with the southern part, reserved for naturism only, clearly indicated by signs. Non-naturists have a wide and beautiful swatch of beach to enjoy, with extra attractions such as a lookout point, pousadas and a string of bars by the beach’s parking area.

The Tambaba naturist community is organized under SONATA (the Tambaba Naturism Association), affiliated with FBrN (the Brazilian Naturist Federation) and INF-FNi (the International Naturist Federation).

It abides by the ethics of naturism and local rules. Public sexual behavior and photographing or filming beachgoers without their consent are strictly prohibited. Men can only access the area if accompanied by women. The area is patrolled by CEAtur, Paraíba State’s Tourism Police.

In November 2008, the beach hosted the World Naturist Congress, which helped promote the naturist movement in Brazil and draw attention to Tambaba and Conde as touristic destinations.
Tambaba Attractions

A tupi-guarani myth tells of Tambaba, an indigenous girl crying over a forbidden love, and how her tears formed a lake and then a beach.

Scientists trace the origin of one of the most striking features of Brazil’s Northeastern shores – falésias, colorful sedimentary cliffs beautifully represented in the Conde area – back to the Cenozoic Era.

The Tambaba cliffs help create secluded inlets which are perfect for naturism. They also make for intriguing hiking trails which meander through beach and cliff and stretch all the way to neighboring beaches, such as Coqueirinho.

Natural forces have also carved an intriguing feature: a lonely rock, hit by the waves, on which a single coconut tree has grown.

Tambaba waves are good for surfing, especially in the late winter and early spring. The beach hosts Brazil’s only naturist surf tournament: the Tambaba Open, which in its 4th edition in September 2011 gathered about 30 athletes. Promoted by the Naturistas Unidos Movement in a partnership with local organizations, the tournament also focuses on awareness campaigns for keeping the beach clean.

The movement is based in Aldeia d’Água, where Julio Índio, a descendant of native Mucuxi, has turned part of his property into Território Macuxi, a private naturism reserve. The area has trails and hikers can bathe in clay and in the springs of the Gurugí River. Tours are offered by Tambaba Tur (phone 55-83-8811-5380, tambaba@hotmail.com).

Where to Stay and Eat in Tambaba

Many travelers stay in other Conde beaches, such as Carapibus, home to Mussulo Resort, and Tabatinga or Jacumã. Learn more about places to stay in Conde.

The proximity to João Pessoa makes it feasible to explore Conde by the day, even though the area is worth at least one night’s stay.

Pousada Tambaba Naturista

Certified by the national and international naturism federations since August 2011, Pousada Tambaba Naturista is, of this writing, the only place to stay within Tambaba’s naturism area. In early 2012, the pousada won an award from local network TV Conde for the quality of its services and sustainable practices. The owners, naturist couple Hildebrando Carvalho and Rair Barbosa, personally manage the pousada, which has bungalows, a bar and a restaurant. Phone: 55-833298-1140.

A Arca do Bilú

The pousada is not located inside the naturism area per se, but owner Marcus Bilú is a naturist. His appreciation of the area’s wonders includes respect for the traditions of Northeastern culinary.

His pousada has a restaurant, open to non-guests, serving fresh seafood dishes such as caldeirada (a stew made with fish, lobster, crab and other seafood). Phone: 55-83-9972-236.

Estalagem Aldeia dos Ventos

Not in the naturist area, Aldeia dos Ventos has apartments for up to three people, suites and two separate units (bungalows) for up to four guests. There is a swimming pool and a breakfast room. Email: reservas@estalagemaldeiadosventos.com.br

Pousada da Marcélia

A budget pousada and campground located just steps from the beach. Phone: 55-83-9952-7427.

How to Get to Tambaba

There are buses daily to Conde and Jacumã from João Pessoa’s main bus station. From there, you can take a bus or a taxi to Tambaba. Vans and taxi rides can be arranged with pousadas or hotels in the state capital. To drive to Tambaba, take BR-101 and then state highway PB-008 past the Cabo Branco lighthouse and then to Jacumã and from there to Tambaba.

2. Massarandupió – close to the city of Entre Rios, in Bahia, it has 2 kilometers of beautiful white sand. I have been there some 20 years ago, way before it became a naturist resort (in case you are wondering). It is really gorgeous, specially in the middle of the night, when little turtles leave their egg shells and run to the ocean.

Massarandupió is the only beach along the whole north coast of Bahia where Naturism is officially allowed.

It is located about 40km north of Praia do Forte and 20km from Costa do Sauipe. Come to this place with your boyfriend, girlfriend or family, feel the freedom and tan all the body without censure.
This paradise has a white sand beach with crystal clear and calm seawater, dunes and small lakes that form natural warm and sweet water pools.

The tour (transport only) leaves Praia do Forte in the morning where the guide (only during the transfer) will give information about the place and point out the place and time to return. After you have enjoyed this paradise, the transport (car/van) will pick you up and return to Praia do Forte.

3. Barra Seca – in Linhares, state of Espírito Santo. Pretty urbanized, it has small hotels, public lighting and toilets and food stands on the sand.

Barra Seca is an official nude beach in Brazil. While elsewhere in Brazil people are generally prohibited to be naked in public places, in Barra Seca you must be nude in the family area (the main part of the beach). Around the periphery of the beach, nudism is optional.

Barra Seca is the only nude beach in Espirito Santo State and the second recognized as an official nudist beach in the Southeast Region, Brazil region of Brazil.

It is located 60 km from the city of Linhares, to the north of the state.

The beach of Dry Bar was established with the support of the municipal administration, ambient agencies, association of inhabitants and traders of the Pontal health-resort of the Ipiranga and the local community, basically agriculturists and fishing.

It is managed by the NatES – Congregação Naturista do Estado do Espírito Santo.

It is 60 kilometers east of Linhares and 200 kilometers north of Vitória.

4. Olho de Boi – a minuscule beach with difficult access in Búzios, state of Rio.

Olho de Boi (Bull’s Eye Beach) is one of the beaches in Búzios, in Rio de Janeiro State, and the most popular official nude beach in Brazil for gays.

A steep trail leads to Olho de Boi, where one of the best spots is a cliff which forms a waterwall as it’s hit by crashing waves.

5. Praia Brava – shared by nudists and surfers from Cabo Frio, in the state of Rio, it is pretty isolated and encircled by high, steep mountains.

6. Praia do Abricó – in Grumari, a neighborhood of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Visited by naturists since the 40s, it was the favorite of Luz del Fuego, a mid-century diva that would pose nude surrounded by snakes.

Abrico Beach Rio is the beach of choice in Brazil’s second largest city for those who like to sun and swim in their birthday suits.

This nudist beach in Rio de Janeiro became legal for naturists in 2003 after being shut down as such for a while. It is understandably chosen by naturalists due to its private location in the Grumari area.

A local naturist association watches over Abrico Beach Rio to make sure that international nudist norms are followed, and it also offers a range of planned activities for those who are interested.

7. Jurubá – in the historic city of Paraty, in the state of Rio. After a 15 minute boat ride you can reach the naturist center of Araújo island.

8. Praia do Pinho – Close to Camboriú, in the state of Santa Catarina, it was the birthplace of Federação Brasileira de Naturismo, the organization that coordinates this sort of activity in Brazil, which has 300 thousand members, congregated in 29 regional groups.

It took a while to get established as a nudist beach – the owner of the property that faces the ocean is very religious and has seven children. After rejecting the idea for a while, he opened a restaurant and a small hotel for nudists.

9. Galheta – this nudist beach of Florianópolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina, is half way between two very popular beaches, Barra da Lagoa and Praia Mole. It is mostly isolated and can be reached through a small path in the middle of the rainforest. Naturists share the space with surfers – Florianópolis has some of the best waves in the country.

About 20 kilometers south of Florianopolis in the Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, this white sand beach attracts die-hard naturists and the nude-curious alike.

Praia de Galheta is a naturally preserved area, with no restaurants or other buildings nearby – so take a packed lunch.

The Association of the Friends of Galheta lobbies and looks out for the interests of nature and naturism on the beach.

10. Pedras Altas – these two isolated beaches, full of rocks, small streams and natural pools, are part of the Biological Reserve of Serra do Tabuleiro, in the state of Santa Catarina. It is only 30 kilometers away from Florianópolis.

11. Colina do Sol – seven years has passed since Colina do Sol opened its gates near the small rural city of Taquara in Brazil’s beautiful, southern State of Rio Grande do Sul. From the beginning Colina do Sol was an innovative enterprise evolving from the idea to build a small Naturist community where people may live and work without the compulsory need to wear clothing. The ideal was to have people, and visitors, living in harmony, making use of their leisure, and participating in Nude Recreation according to their personal desires.

Many doubted that the idea would ever materialize. Who, on earth, let alone in Brazil, would take the initiative? But, the doubters overlooked the idealists: Celso Rossi and Paula Andreazza.

This Naturist couple with a family that includes two well adjusted, elementary aged Naturist children had already acquired many years of experience establishing Naturist and Nude Recreation oriented clubs, resorts and beaches within Brazil. They were instrumental in the start-up of Praia do Pinho (Beach of the Pines) located in Brazil’s coastal State of Santa Catarina. “Condé Nast Traveler”, the magazine made famous for telling the truth in travel, lists Praia do Pinho, Brazil’s first Official Naturist Beach established for Nude Recreation as one of the World’s Top-Ten Beaches.

The prospect of the Nude Beach signaled Brazil’s acceptance for Naturism and Nude Recreation, and it became apparent that similar like-minded organizations would be established. This required a guiding institution with an acceptable Code of Conduct. This led Celso and Paula to pioneer the founding of the Federação Brasileira de Naturismo (Federation of Brazilian Naturism), FBrN.

Today, the scenery of Colina do Sol matches the vision for the terrestrial contribution that Celso and Paula imagined. It is the paradise that they longed for. Together, they built a crystalline lake with a waterfall, and a white sand beach that serves as a hub for the more than one hundred permanent homes, summer vacation cabins, necessary stores, parks and camping areas. With purpose, these structures harmonize with the exuberant natural surroundings providing opportunity for people to go about their shopping, dining and socializing without concern for what clothing they wear.

The instrument utilized to measure the degree of paradise obtained by the establishment and progress of Colina do Sol is the measure of the number of international Naturists with interests in Nude Recreation that decide to leave their origins of birth behind in exchange for establishing permanent homes for themselves, and their families at Colina do Sol.